Uber begins charging customers $1 'Safe Rides Fee'

In the name of safety, Uber has upped its UberX fares by $1. The on-demand car service announced Thursday that starting this week all UberX customers will see an extra "Safe Rides Fee" on their receipts.

"From the beginning, we've always been committed to connecting you with the safest rides on the road," Uber wrote in a blog post. "Starting this week, we'll demonstrate that continued commitment to safety with a dedicated $1 Safe Rides Fee added to uberX fares in United States cities with uberX ridesharing."

Uber says the fee is to help pay for the "increased costs associated with our continued efforts to ensure the safest platform for Uber riders and drivers." These costs include background checks, motor vehicle checks, driver safety education, app safety features, and insurance.